It is 12:30pm on Sunday afternoon in mid-August. Le Thi Kim Linh, 45, is waiting in line to get lunch at Cho Ray Hospital’s kitchen which serves free meals for patients’ families, many of whom live outside HCM City.

 VietNamNet Bridge – At 75, Maria Nguyen Thi Gai, works every day, spending the pittance she earns on charity work.

 VietNamNet Bridge – For many people, a loaf of bread costing VND1,300 (US$0.06) may not be worth much,  but for poor patients at Kon Tum General Hospital, the free breakfast is much dearer than its cost. 

VietNamNet Bridge – Sweating in the heat of Saigon, Do Van Ut fixes a motorbike at the entrance to the alley at 96 Phan Dinh Phung Street in HCMC’s Phu Nhuan District. Next to him is a jug of ice tea.